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DOWNTOWN — Chicago’s first NASCAR street race will span two days and feature performances from The Chainsmokers, Miranda Lambert, The Black Crowes and Charley Crockett, officials announced Thursday.
The Chicago Street Race Weekend is July 1-2, according to the event’s website.
The event kicks off with time for racers to practice and qualify for the next day’s NASCAR Cup Series. The Black Crowes will perform in the afternoon; then, racers will compete in the Xfinity Series Race. The Chainsmokers will finish out the night with a full-length concert.
On July 2, Charley Crockett and Miranda Lambert will perform during the day ahead of the NASCAR Cup Series Race that afternoon. After the race, attendees can expect a victory lane celebration.
The race track is about 2.2 miles long and stretches through DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Columbus Drive, Balbo Drive and Jackson Drive. Drivers pass through Grant Park and race within block of Soldier Field, catching sight of other famous Chicago landmarks along the way.
General admission tickets will cost about $269 and go on sale Feb. 2. You can sign up for pre-sale access here or buy premium tickets that cost $415-$3,015 here.
The tickets provide access to both days’ races and concerts. General admission tickets get you a spot near the start/finish line at Buckingham Fountain, 301 S. Columbus Drive, while the more expensive tickets offer elevated views that allow fans to see nearly the entire course and the pit boxes.
Premium tickets include high-end food and drinks, close views of the concerts, access to a club space and covered open-air deck, plus introductions to the drivers before the race, according to the website.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced the event last July, but she received pushback from Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd), who said she didn’t communicate with alderpeople whose wards will be affected.
Transportation advocates have also raised questions about the optics of promoting a major race Downtown while the number of pedestrians and bicyclists killed by drivers in the area continues to increase and street racing has become a significant issue throughout the city.
“This is a huge, huge sports town … the opportunity to bring something so unique as NASCAR to the city of Chicago, I think it’s going to be one of the most iconic race courses maybe ever,” Lightfoot said when announcing the race in July. “We couldn’t pass up that opportunity.”
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